Category: Asia

Philippines

₱300 Million More for Bukidnon Airport — But Can the Long-Delayed Project Finally Take Off in 2027?

MANILA, Philippines — The Marcos administration is seeking an additional ₱300 million under the proposed 2027 national budget to push the long-awaited Bukidnon Airport toward completion and operation next year, as the government looks to turn the project into a major gateway for travel, trade and investment in Northern Mindanao. The proposed funding was disclosed after Executive Secretary Ralph Recto inspected the ongoing airport construction in Barangay Maraymaray, Don Carlos, Bukidnon, on Sep

September 6, 2026

Philippines

DOJ Seeks ₱46.44-Billion Budget for 2027—But Lawmakers Are Looking Closely at Where the Money Will Go

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is seeking a ₱46.44-billion budget for 2027, a modest increase from its ₱45.5-billion allocation this year, with officials saying much of the additional funding will go toward higher salaries and personnel benefits. The proposed amount is ₱46.435 billion, according to the House of Representatives, which reviewed the DOJ and its attached agencies during budget deliberations. Justice Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato said the increase is largely

September 6, 2026

Philippines

Rizal Memorial Is Getting a Major Makeover — And Manila’s Historic Sports District Could Look Very Different by 2027

MANILA, Philippines — One of the Philippines’ most historic sporting landmarks is headed for a major transformation. The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), City Government of Manila and SM Prime Holdings have formally joined forces to redevelop the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) into a modern sports, culture and lifestyle district while preserving its historic identity. The three parties signed a Memorandum of Agreement on Thursday, September 3, setting the framework for the next phase

September 6, 2026

Business

PLDT Is Going Beyond the Signal — And Its Next Growth Move Could Change How Businesses Use Telecom Services

PLDT is pushing its transformation beyond traditional telecommunications, putting customer experience, integrated digital services and long-term technology partnerships at the center of its growth strategy. The shift comes as businesses face a rapidly changing technology landscape driven by artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity and increasingly complex digital infrastructure needs. At the inaugural ACC CXO Forum in Hong Kong, organized by PLDT Global, PLDT executives outlined

September 6, 2026

Asia

Prince William Steps In for King Charles at King Harald’s Funeral—Here’s Why the King Won’t Be There

LONDON — Prince William will represent his father, King Charles III, at the funeral of Norway’s late King Harald V in Oslo next week, Buckingham Palace has confirmed. The Prince of Wales is scheduled to attend the September 9 funeral at Oslo Cathedral, where Norway will formally bid farewell to its monarch, who died on August 28 at the age of 89 after 35 years on the throne. William will be joined by his aunt, Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, although her attendance is described as private a

September 6, 2026

Business

Canva Is No Longer Just for Designs — Its Next Move Could Challenge Microsoft and Google

Canva is making a much bigger play for the workplace, expanding beyond its familiar design tools as businesses increasingly use the platform for documents, presentations, spreadsheets, brainstorming, websites and other everyday work. The Australian company has rolled out more than 100 upgrades to its Visual Suite since the start of 2026, covering Docs, Presentations, Sheets, Whiteboards, Websites and other tools. The push signals Canva’s ambition to become a broader productivity platform rather

September 6, 2026

Philippines

Sara Duterte Impeachment: Prosecutors Say They’re Building an ‘Airtight’ Case — But the 16-Vote Question Isn’t Over

MANILA, Philippines — The House prosecution panel in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial says it is not counting votes or trying to predict the outcome in the Senate. Instead, prosecutors are concentrating on what they say matters most: building an “airtight” case backed by strong evidence, regardless of how the required conviction threshold is ultimately interpreted. House prosecution counsel and legal spokesperson Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. said the panel has maintained the same s

September 6, 2026

Business

GM and Ford Are No Longer Just Fighting for Car Buyers — Their Next Battle Is for the Pentagon and America’s Power Grid

DETROIT — The century-old rivalry between General Motors and Ford is entering unfamiliar territory. The two Detroit giants are no longer competing only for buyers in the showroom. They are increasingly chasing opportunities in military vehicles and energy-storage systems, turning factories, batteries and manufacturing know-how built for the electric-vehicle era into potential new sources of revenue. The shift comes as both automakers confront a tougher U.S. vehicle market and rethink massive i

September 6, 2026

Philippines

OFWs May Soon Get Free Legal Help Online—But the Government Is Planning Something Bigger

MANILA, Philippines — Overseas Filipino workers facing legal problems abroad or at home could soon have easier access to professional legal advice under a proposed government program that the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) says could fill an important gap in services for migrant workers. PAO chief Persida Rueda-Acosta has welcomed the proposal of the Office of the Cabinet Secretary to establish the Overseas Filipino Workers Legal Advisory Assistance Program (OLAAP), a planned initiative aimed a

September 6, 2026

Entertainment

Mutya ng Pilipinas 2026 Search Nears Deadline—Could the Next Filipina Queen Be Among Those Still Waiting to Apply?

MANILA, Philippines — The race for the next Mutya ng Pilipinas queens is entering a crucial stage, with aspiring candidates given until September 28, 2026 to submit their applications for the prestigious national pageant. The approaching deadline puts added attention on the nationwide search as the Mutya ng Pilipinas Organization continues expanding its network of regional franchises and strengthening its pipeline of candidates ahead of the 2026 national competition. The organization, which ha

September 6, 2026